Second Cuban senator elates Miami friends (Corzine to name)

Posted on Thu, Dec. 08, 2005
BY LESLEY CLARK

U.S. Rep. Robert Menendez will become the second Cuban-American in the U.S. Senate, with New Jersey governor-elect Jon Corzine expected to name the Democrat today to fill his remaining term in office.
The selection of the former mayor of Union City, N.J. -- the second-largest Cuban stronghold in the United States -- carries major significance for Cuban-Americans in Miami. Menendez is a frequent visitor to South Florida, raising money, campaigning for Democrats -- and proving a stalwart voice in efforts to oust Fidel Castro.

Said Menendez's Agustin ''Gus'' Garcia, a Miami Democrat who has known Menendez since they were teens in New Jersey, ``For a little island to produce two U.S. senators, for those who work factories and clean floors, it's a great honor.''

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Cuba aside, Menendez is generally strongly aligned with liberals in Congress. He voted against going to war in Iraq and against drilling for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

And his supporters note he has been a team player. After endorsing former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean for the Democratic nomination for president last year -- the two men shared an early aversion for the war in Iraq -- Menendez campaigned hard for the eventual nominee, Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts.
In a visit to Miami, Menendez bashed the Bush administration's crackdown on travel to Cuba and said Kerry would pursue more effective strategies to take down Castro.

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